Living Green
Our local gas prices...regular, plus, and premium.
Nuggets if you're short on time:
- Install the $170 ScanGauge (www.ScanGauge.com). It's a real-time display of current and average gas mileage that can easily plug into a data port under the dashboard in most automobiles manufactured since 1996.
- Observe the speed limit. 55 to 60 m.p.h. is the optimum speed for fuel-efficient highway driving. Every 5 m.p.h. above that reduces fuel economy about 5 percent to 7 percent.
- Remove excess weight and roof racks when they are not being used. Store your bowling ball or other unnecessary gear in a closet, not the trunk. Roof racks increase drag.
- Coast to a stop sign or traffic signal. Keeping a foot on the gas and braking abruptly wastes gas.
- Keep tires fully inflated. Underinflated tires increase rolling resistance. But do not overinflate.
- Use cruise control on the open road. Acceleration is the enemy of fuel economy. Avoid cruise control on hilly roads.
- Do your homework: www.fueleconomy.gov lists official EPA mileage ratings for most cars and trucks from the 1985 model year on.
